The "Orange Is The New Black" star was the first transgender person to cover of TIME, appearing in the <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/time-laverne-cox-cover_n_5410878" target="_blank">June 9 issue</a>. In an <a href="http://time.com/132769/transgender-orange-is-the-new-black-laverne-cox-interview/" target="_blank">interview with TIME</a>, Cox spoke about the shame she felt growing up and how important it is for trans people to share their stories and de-stigmatize their experiences:
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There’s not just one trans story. There’s not just one trans experience. And I think what they need to understand is that not everybody who is born feels that their gender identity is in alignment with what they’re assigned at birth, based on their genitalia. If someone needs to express their gender in a way that is different, that is okay, and they should not be denied healthcare. They should not be bullied. They don’t deserve to be victims of violence. … That’s what people need to understand, that it’s okay and that if you are uncomfortable with it, then you need to look at yourself.

TIME

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'Are You There God, It's Me Margaret' By Judy Blume

Yearling | $6.99 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-You-There-God-Margaret/dp/0440404193" target="_hplink">Amazon.com</a>
"It tackles religion, the awkwardness of adolescence, and the weird contraptions that women used to use when they first got their periods. (References to the "belt" definitely confused me as a kid.)" -Kathleen Massara, Editor, Huffington Post Arts